In an e-mail forwarded to me from the Torrance Unified School District, titled “TUSD Answers to Frequently Asked Questions,” there is a listing of the expenses of the district. In that listing, 82 percent of the expenditures are for teacher and administrator salaries and benefits. There is also a listing of the cuts in service and other reductions that have been made to deal with recent revenue reductions. Sadly, nowhere in that list is a mention of salary reduction for anyone, only reductions in service via larger class sizes, shorter school years and less janitorial services.

The proper response by our school board should have been to protect the children and the taxpayers, not the teachers. Once again the voting and taxpaying public receives the short end of the stick and is asked to pony up with more money. When will the teachers, administrators and the union who so vociferously declare that they are there for the kids accept a salary reduction so as to lessen the impact on the education of our children? I, for one, am tapped out.

– Chris Dreike, Torrance

Opposition to Arizona boycott

The Los Angeles City Council is sick. What happened to one nation under God, united we stand? The U.S. citizens living in Arizona need our help, not a kick in the teeth. Boycott the Obama administration until they step up, not the U.S. citizens living in Arizona. Janice Hahn is just looking for a few Latino votes.

– John Roehrig

San Pedro

In reaction to the enactment Wednesday by the L.A. City Council making official a boycott of Arizona by the city, I am now boycotting the city of L.A. I will no longer patronize stores, restaurants, service stations or any other commercial or government entity within the city of Los Angeles.

Instead, I am taking a long vacation in Arizona. Maybe I’ll sell my house and move there.

– Ernest Wayne King

Lennox

So the City Council and the mayor want to boycott Arizona. Not everything, of course, just $7 million to $8 million (per Janice Hahn).

Here’s my challenge to them. Keep the Lakers away from Arizona.

Forfeit the games. If the Suns come here, forfeit again. Does anyone think the council members and the mayor are willing to put their principles above money and photo ops? Are the fans of the boycott willing to forgo a possible championship for their principles? I highly doubt it.

– Rick Hamilton

San Pedro

Last week, directly after Councilwoman Janice Hahn’s vote to boycott the state of Arizona, I spoke with one of her staff members, with whom I had a very nice chat and found common ground on a variety of subjects. However, she failed to convince me that Hahn’s support for a boycott is anything but meddling in affairs outside of her jurisdiction. In Arizona citizens have been backed into a corner by criminals and the federal government. In fact, the staff member was loudly dismissive and patronizing as she registered disbelief that there are opposing views.

I do not agree with or understand how our councilwoman arrived at her decision. As it was related to me by her staff, she did not perform a broad poll of her constituency.

Asking her constituents for their input may not be the norm in this matter, but she had to know there are a great many who disagree with her decision. Her misguided support for a boycott could weaken our support for her, and considering the options, she could be making it very attractive to go for a Republican for lieutenant governor.

Arizona has more than its share of problems similar to our own and worse.

Taking this negative approach toward limiting their efforts and options is not our business. The citizens of Arizona know what is best for their own state and how to keep productive citizens from leaving. When Hahn’s spokesperson played the “Nazi” card, she failed to mention how federal laws will keep Arizona from becoming “another Germany.” She was overreaching for dramatic effect and it was not a productive comparison.

This city has more than enough problems needing our councilwoman’s full attention. I say to Ms. Hahn: If you wish to continue to deserve our support for lieutenant governor, please solve your city’s problems first.

– Ron Roemer

San Pedro

Torrance ignores barking dogs

Torrance is a very noisy city, with its low-flying planes, its rumbling trains, and horrendous traffic noise from Sepulveda and Hawthorne boulevards, complete with police and ambulance sirens. And, worse, add to that barking dogs, although the city does have a never-

enforced ordinance against noise. In fact, when I went to the next street to get the house number of a couple whose barking dog was confined behind my rear wall, they had the nerve to phone a complaint into the police station, who then sent an officer to me to tell me to stop bothering those people, and who threatened me with reprisals if I did not do so. The Torrance city manager and council knew all about this and just ignored it, unlike the courageous Los Angeles City Council members.

Due to tens of thousands of ignored warnings from Los Angeles Animal Services, strict laws have gone into effect there, where all dogs must be kept within 35 feet of the owner’s home. Dog owners must not allow barking dogs to bother neighbors and if they do, Los Angeles will fine them $100 for each violation, and up. Unlike here where a powerful person can intimidate senior citizens into silence, the L.A. City Council has shown that everyone matters within its boundaries. That deserves praise as it ensures humane treatment also for dogs isolated outside in all kinds of weather.

It’s time that Torrance moved into a similar mode to represent all its residents. Not having had even one mailing from our City Council in 14 years, I won’t hold my breath.